One more flight aboard a B-17, one of the last of its kind

San Antonio Express-News

Updated 11:34 pm, Friday, October 5, 2012

Photo: JENNIFER WHITNEY

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Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG (bomb group), takes in the sights and sounds of the waist, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG (bomb group), takes in the sights and sounds of the waist, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport,

The WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG (bomb group), carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG (bomb group), carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it

The WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. July 21st, 1944 was Garber's last flight. "That was the day we got shot down," he explained. "I don't know what the hell I did yesterday, but I remember that date."

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, climbs aboard the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Alyece Urice, granddaughter of Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, helped turn the props before she got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Alyece Urice, granddaughter of Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, helped turn the props before she got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport,

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. On a recent trip to London to revisit many of the sites he experienced during the war, "a couple of girls from a reenactment group kissed it, and that was their signature," he explained.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey"

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey"

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, crawled into the tail where he was positioned on his last flight in September of 1945, with the help of flight crew chief Troy Smith, before he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "We had a great view from back here- more than a 180 degree scope," he explained.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, crawled into the tail where he was positioned on his last flight in September of 1945, with the help of flight crew chief Troy Smith, before he got to ride on the

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, crawled into the tail where he was positioned on his last flight in September of 1945, with the help of flight crew chief Troy Smith, before he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "We had a great view from back here- more than a 180 degree scope," he explained.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, crawled into the tail where he was positioned on his last flight in September of 1945, with the help of flight crew chief Troy Smith, before he got to ride on the

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, pose for photos in front of the plane before getting a ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, pose for photos in front of the plane before getting a ride on

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, pose for photos in front of the plane before getting a ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, pose for photos in front of the plane before getting a ride on

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, greets his granddaughter, Alyece Urice, after the two got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, greets his granddaughter, Alyece Urice, after the two got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday,

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, tells a joke to Ivan Rasmussen, members of the 8th Air Force Reunion Group, during a ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012 with other members of the 8th Air Force Reunion Group. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, tells a joke to Ivan Rasmussen, members of the 8th Air Force Reunion Group, during a ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, takes in the sights and sounds as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "I couldn't replace that in another 100 years," he said of the flight after landing.

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, takes in the sights and sounds as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, enjoys the turbulence as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "I couldn't replace that in another 100 years," he said of the flight after landing.

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, enjoys the turbulence as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson

view as he puts his earplugs back in as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "I couldn't replace that in another 100 years," he said of the flight after landing.

view as he puts his earplugs back in as he sat in his position at the radio as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "I

Mike Faley, President of the 8th Air Force Historical Society Board of Directors, shakes hands with Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, after take off as they got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Mike Faley, President of the 8th Air Force Historical Society Board of Directors, shakes hands with Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, after take off as they got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, and Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, takes in the sights and sounds during take off as got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, carried with him a notebook that he had everyone on the trip sign and took notes about the flight, as he got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey"

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, and Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, told stories and reminisced as they waited out a weather delay before several Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group and got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. "10 people were on this airplane and everybody was for everybody else," Garber explained. "It was such a good group of men."

Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, and Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, told stories and reminisced as they waited out a weather delay before several Members of the 8th Air

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group including, from left, Ivan Rasmussen, Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, Load Master Andrew Stample, and Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th BG, told stories as they waited out a weather delay before they got to ride on the WWII B-17G bomber "Sentimental Journey" as it visited Stinson Municipal Airport, Friday, October 5, 2012. There are only 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses still flying in the world, this one is maintained by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aviation Museum in Mesa, Arizona.

Members of the 8th Air Force Reunion group including, from left, Ivan Rasmussen, Joe Garber from Ormond Beach, FL, 89, of the 96th BG, Load Master Andrew Stample, and Joe Urice from Kerrville, 88, of the 100th